Well actually the labor government in Australia is currently reviewing the migrant intake policies mentioned in the main article ... http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/18/business/ozjobs.2-410... But it looks like we're going to keep up the high intake for the most part. We're certainly not losing any from what I've observed.
As an aside I have to say I haven't seen much of anti-immigration sentiment here even with the economic downturn. Sure, there's been a fair bit of talk against moving jobs overseas, but barley a whisper with regards to immigration.
I actually think we should increase the rate. Double it. Triple it, even. There will need to be a concommitent infrastructure investment but with that, no problem.
This should be a time of amazing opportunity to absorb the talent leaving other countries.
Yeah, I agree with you. Given the great talent in the Asian region we're sitting on a people gold mine. Also given the already short-supply of housing it would invigorate the property sector as well.
But I don't think the media and public would respond well to it with companies like pacific brands and the mining companies laying of so many in the last few weeks. It's probably best if the government doesn't rock the boat on immigration, lest we get a public reaction against it.
As an aside I have to say I haven't seen much of anti-immigration sentiment here even with the economic downturn. Sure, there's been a fair bit of talk against moving jobs overseas, but barley a whisper with regards to immigration.